March 27, 2013 5.47 pm This story is over 131 months old

Lincolnshire PCC and suspended Chief Constable face off in court

Misinterpreted? In a court in Manchester, lawyers argued that Lincolnshire’s PCC had misunderstood Chief Constable Rhodes’ involvement in a discriminatory matter.

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick and suspended Chief Constable Neil Rhodes were in Manchester’s Administrative Court on Wednesday, regarding allegations that led to the suspension.

Chief Constable Neil Rhodes was suspended by PCC Alan Hardwick on February 25 over matters relating to his involvement in allegations of racial discrimination.

Today in court, Mr Rhodes’ lawyers argued that the new PCC had a “fundamental misinterpretation of the facts”, leading up to the suspension.

According to Neil Rhodes’ lawyers, the dispute centres around a telephone conversation relating to an Asian Muslim lawyer with West Yorkshire Police, in which the Chief Constable gave support over a discriminatory matter, BBC Lincolnshire reported.

It’s claimed that Mr Rhodes had hoped to set up a meeting to resolve the issue.

However, it is alleged by Alan Hardwick that Neil Rhodes knew the claim by the lawyer was false.

Mr Rhodes’ solicitors continued to describe the PCC’s decision to suspend the Chief Constable as “near nuclear” and done either through inexperience or without the appropriate advice.

Meanwhile, Alan Hardwick’s lawyers argued that he was “justified” in suspending Rhodes.

A judgement on the matter is expected on Thursday in Manchester.

Related reports: BBC Lincolnshire, ITV Calendar